Lennie Character Summary

When we first meet Lennie, Steinbeck describes his movement as "the way a bear drags its paws". This immediately gives us the first impression that Lennie has an animalistic nature; this is a theme shown many times throughout the novella. Furthermore, Steinbeck compares Lennie to a "bear". Bears are animals with immense strength but a lack of control, characteristics shown by Lennie throughout the novella. Alternatively Steinbeck may be trying to suggest Lennie's lack of intelligence; his intelligence is on par with a bear's.
Lennie's lack of intelligence is suggested again a few pages later, when Steinbeck quotes, "imitated George exactly". This quote suggests Lennie's lack of intelligence and child like nature, as children often imitate what others do. It also gives the reader an idea of George and Lennie's relationship; George is like Lennie's parent figure. Alternatively, Steinbeck may be trying to suggest how Lennie is very care free. While George and Lennie struggle for shelter and food, Lennie has time to be fooling around. This point is further emphasised by the harsh times, the Great Depression, George and Lennie were in.
Lennie's carefree nature is shown again in the novella when he quotes, "Go on, George... rabbits". His relaxed attitude is emphasised by the fact that most people's American dream was centred around their own piece of land or freedom at the time, however Lennie's is centred around rabbits. This also emphasises his childlike nature, as children often long for pets and animals. Lennie's extraordinary love for animals could be implying his animalistic nature again.
When George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, Lennie's animalistic nature is referred to again, "Strong as a bull". Again, Steinbeck compares Lennie to an animal, a "bull". A "bull" is also an animal commonly referred to for its immense strength but also its lack of control over it. At this point in the novella, Steinbeck begins using Lennie to create tension and suspense by foreshadowing trouble; it is obvious that something is going to go wrong due to Lennie's lack of control.
A few chapters later, Steinbeck begins to bring the reader closer to the moment that has been foreshadowed since the beginning of the novel. "looked at the little dead puppy". This phrase makes Lennie seem evil by making the puppy seem extremely innocent and weak, "the little dead puppy". The word "little" puts emphasis of the puppy's innocence. This phrase foreshadows Lennie killing somebody and builds up suspense. The reader wants to know who and how and Lennie commits his murder on.
When George and the other ranch workers are searching for Lennie, Steinbeck describes his movement again, "as a creeping bear moves". Steinbeck is compared to a "bear" at the start and end of the novella. This makes the novella seem like a bear hunt, the hunt for Lennie. After George finds Lennie, Steinbeck quotes, "Lennie obeyed him". This makes it seem as if Lennie has been tamed and their relationship seems very different to what it was like at the start, George is like Lennie's master.
Lennie is a very important and central character in the novella. Steinbeck uses him very effectively to foreshadow many events and build up a lot of tension. Furthermore Lennie's death is one of the climaxes in the novel and provides a turning point for the reader. Lennie also allows the readers to feel a lot of sympathy for him due to his lack of intelligence, resulting in his death to be an emotional moment for the reader.